The opportunity to see the
art from the Native Americans of the Ariza-Borrego Desert, the
Cahuilla, Cupeno, Diegueno, and Kumeyaay you really need to
spend some time in the desert. There is artwork showing their
religion, mythology and social customs. The also left a legacy
of art with an open air gallery of rock art. It shows the
importance to the people that lived here long before the white
settlers moved in.

Rock art is a testimony of
ceremonies, historic occasions and life’s fears and joys. It
also conveys the powerful images of the supernatural.

Although the art is there,
it is not set out in detail in order to leave them in their
sacred obscurity. If you should come across some of the
artwork, please leave it alone, take a picture but don’t try to
“cut” it out or rub over it. Leaving it to show the history of
the Native American Indians for future generations to enjoy and
learn from is important, just as it is to you, it will be for
your children and grandchildren and hopefully your
great-grandchildren.

If you are interested in
wildflowers you can take a couple of driving tours and witness
the beauty of the desert. In the spring take the route that
goes from Christmas Circle in Borrego Springs, drive east on S22
for two blocks to DiGiorgio Road, north to Henderson Canyon Rd. Either continue north 1.6
miles to the end of the pavement and follow the jeep trial into
Coyote Canyon (you will want a 4WD here, especially
after 2.5 miles on the jeep path), or turn east on Henderson Canyon Rd. 1.5 mile until you come to
the followers.

The mounts to the west of
the desert get the most of what little rain there may be in this
area so explore desert roads and trails at the base of the
mountains.

In the mountain foothills ad
higher elevations you will be able to see the Desert Apricot,
Checker Fiddleneck, Indian Paintbrush, and Fringe Amaranth. In
the desert valleys you will enjoy the Dune Evening Primrose,
Desert Chicory, and the Desert Sand Verbena in the spring.
There are also members of the sunflower family and other flowers
such as the Ghost Flower, Desert Star, Rock Daisy, Thick leafed
ground cherry, and others.

Of course remember that the
flowers (most of them) are protected by law and may not be cut
or dug up. All cacti, yuccas and agaves are protected, as are
ocotillo and many of the wildflowers that grow from the bulbs.
Enjoy viewing them but leave them where they are..again,
remember to think of those to follow, let them enjoy the beauty
as you have!

Hiking is a huge part of why
people want to go to the desert, the beauty just draws you to
get out and explore. If you are planning to hike here are some
of the areas that may be of interest: the northern part of
Anza-Borrego extends from north of Borrego Spring up Coyote
Canyon to Anza in Riverside Country, then east and southeast
across the Santa Rosa Mountains to Travertine Palms Wash and
Salton City at the east end of County Rd. S-22 at the Salton
Sea.

There are peaks to be
climbed ad Mountain Cahuilla footbaths to be hiked in the Santa Rosa Mountains. This are has plenty of driving and
hiking opportunities for those that done have the time or the
stamina to hike the mountain trails.

The Central area is south of
S-22 to the south side of the Vallecito Mountains. This is where you will find Borrego
Springs and some of the region’s most notable geology. This is
also the are where, in the spring, the wildflowers are
outstanding to view. There are numerous trails to be hiked in
this area and some driving trails too.

When you drive south on
County Rd S-w you will leave the Vallecito Mountains, this are
is known as Anza-Borrego South, the last miles of the state park
and the beginning of government land for military and civilian
purposed. Here too you will enjoy hiking and exploring the
desert beauty.